The list of Champions leads to interesting reading as all of the winners are very much household names. As opposed to the Todd Hamilton or Ben Curtis wins, the Birkdale Champions had showed a lot of class and their wins at the famed Southport Links are placed under the “no real surprises there” category, or even the “it’s about time they won” one.
The list is as follows: 1954 – Peter Thompson (1st Open win), 1961 – Arnold Palmer (1st Open win), 1965 – Peter Thompson (5th Open win), 1971 – Lee Trevino (1st Open win), 1976 – Johnny Miller (1st and only Open win), 1983 - Tom Watson (5th Open win), 1991 – Ian Baker Finch (1st and only Open win), 1998 – Mark O’Meara (1st and only Open win), 2008 – Pádraig Harrington (2nd Open win).
As you can see, the pedigree of a Birkdale Champion golfer is from the top drawer, yet what can be drawn from the list, certainly from the last four winners, is that the world number one hasn’t won at Birkdale. So, it does lead to the question, “Who is going to win this year?”
Well, this year is by far the toughest to pick with the last seven major winners all tasting victory at the highest level for the first time. The bookmakers are struggling to pick a winner from the field, which means that the price, if you fancy someone, is going to be really good value.
What we know about the weather is this: there are going to be some severe storms on Wednesday and then a mixture of breeze and showers through the weekend.
So, here are my picks, using the Birkdale formula that the player has to be high calibre, not the world number one and potentially a first time winner. Now if you look at the past winners, rarely do Open Champions defend their titles, yet Tom Watson and Pádraig Harrington have both done so at Birkdale. With that in mind, Stenson may need a flutter at 34/1 and the particular website I’m looking at paying each way bets to eight places. I think he’s definitely worth a dabble.
The “it’s about time” award should go to Lee Westwood; he always seems to finish highly and most memorably leading into the final round of the 2009 Turnberry Open. If Sergio can win a major then perhaps 2017 is the year when Westwood joins his buddy Darren Clarke on the Claret Jug’s list of winners. At 70/1 it’s worth a go if you like the romance of the bridesmaid stepping up to claim the prize.
If we are going to anoint another newbie onto the list of Major winners, I am going to have to go for John Rahm. He just blew apart the field at the Irish Open, leaving Rich Beem (Sky Sports Commentator) saying, “I wasn’t sure about the hype, but now I’ve seen what he can do I understand.” He may be young but you don’t get into the world top ten by invitation, you earn it. He is currently sitting at 18/1 with only Fowler, Johnson and Spieth with lower odds.
My final two picks go to two Irishmen, Harrington and Lowry. Harrington because he was the last winner here and Lowry because he is a links specialist with great odds of 66/1. Harrington is 50/1.
Before you ask, am I putting my money where my mouth is? Yes I am. How much? Wwell my wife reads these articles so I have to say, enough to keep me interested, not so much that it will ruin my weekend.
As a result of the golf, if you see a shot which you would like to master or the players inspire you to get better, please give us a call at the Golf Integrated Academy on 912 263 555, I am sure we can help.